The Fire Brigades Union has offered its support to striking bin workers in Birmingham.
Councillor Roger Harmer, the leader of the Liberal Democrats in Birmingham, last week argued that the army or fire service should be brought in to clear obstructions and waste.
The FBU said it would advise members not to carry out any strike-breaking work and has described Cllr Harmer’s remarks as “clueless”.
FBU general secretary Steve Wright also declared the union’s “full solidarity” with bin workers “in their fight to defend their pay, jobs and conditions” and called on the council to settle the dispute.
Andrew Scattergood, Fire Brigades Union Executive Council member for the West Midlands, said:
It is laughable to suggest that firefighters would be brought in to collect bins during a strike by refuse workers. Councillor Harmer’s clueless remarks are clutching at straws when there is a clear solution – to treat refuse workers with the respect they deserve.
Firefighters are humanitarians and trade unionists – we do not break strikes. The FBU would advise members to refuse to carry out such work.”
Steve Wright, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said:
Birmingham bin workers are public servants who provide an essential service. They have our full solidarity in their fight to defend their pay, jobs and conditions. It’s time for Birmingham Council to settle this dispute.”
